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Cuba is one of the most beautiful and unique countries in the world, and this identity is reflected in the amazing names that can be found on the Caribbean island.
If you're looking to take inspiration from some of the names that are found in Cuba, you've come to the right place. Cuban names are famous for being different and against the norm and can be a great place to find inspiration for your own baby names.
Names deriving from the Spanish colonial period are still popular in Spanish-speaking Cuba, especially among the older generations. However, the anti-imperialist and multicultural nature of Cuban society has meant that it has become more common for Cuban names to move away from the colonial past, often in the direction of completely new and unusual names. For instance, many Cuban names are combinations of both parents' names, which are used to form a brand new name. They can also be reversed versions of a parents' name.
If you're looking for a completely unique name for your baby, take an inventive leaf out of the people of Cuba's book. Baby names that are combinations of parent's names include "Elian" (Elizabeth and Juan) and Cuban girl names such as "Daneisys" (Daniel and Daisy). This is a clever way of coming up with a brand new name for your baby.
In addition, many Cubans have names beginning with Y; the reasons for this are not certain, but it is first thought that the influence of the Soviet Union, where names that start with Y are more common, as well as the island's unique history, have contributed to a sense of innovation when it comes to baby names. Cubans born in the '70s and '80s are even collectively referred to as "Generation Y" due to the large number of baby names beginning with Y during this period. Names beginning with Y are sometimes variations of more common names, such as "Yaniel" (Daniel) or "Yenifer" (Jennifer).
So take a look at the following baby names from Cuba, whether you're in need of names for boys or girls, and you might just find the name you've been looking for!
71) Vicente(Spanish origin), which means "victor" or "conqueror".
Vicente(Spanish), which means "victor" or "conqueror".
Learco(Greek), which means "judge of his village".
59) Maceo(Spanish origin), which means "gift of God". This is the Cuban version of the English baby boy name "Matthew".
Julio(Spanish), which means "full of youth".
Tranquila(Spanish), which means "tranquil".
Placido(Spanish), which means "serene".
Liliana(Spanish), which means "lily flower".
Martez(Spanish), which means "warlike".
Javiero(Spanish), which means "owner of a new house".
43) Dalian(Spanish origin), which means "valley".
Yago(Spanish), which means "supplanter".
49) Férnan(Spanish origin), which means "daring" or "adventurous".
39) Alejandro(Spanish origin), which means "defender of mankind". This is the Cuban version of the English baby boy name "Alexander".
Yudel(Spanish), which means "praise".
Acindina(Greek), which means "safe".
Gertrudes(Spanish), which means "beloved warrior women".
Tajo(Spanish), which means "day".
Maceo(Spanish), which means "gift of God". This is the Cuban twist on the English baby boy's name "Matthew".
53) Gimoaldo(Spanish origin), which means "confessor".
Edmundo(Spanish), which means "prosperous protector". This is the Cuban equivalent of the English name "Edmund".
Ezmeralda(Spanish), which means "emerald".
Férnan(Spanish), which means "daring" or "adventurous".
Hilario(Spanish), which means "cheerful".
Gutierre(Spanish), which means "army ruler".
Aymee(Spanish), which means "beloved". This is the Cuban equivalent of the English baby name "Amy".
72) Yago(Spanish origin), which means "supplanter".
Castilo(Greek), which means "beautiful".
Damasia(Spanish), which means "of the Adriatic Sea".
Yandra(Spanish), which means "mother".
Urbana(Spanish), which means "city dweller".
69) Silverio(Spanish origin), which means "wood" or "forest".
42) Cordaro(Spanish origin), which means "little lamb".
Barbara(Greek origin), which means "foreign woman".
Agathe(Greek), which means "good" or "kind".
Yoselin(Cuban origin), which means "joyous".
Reinaldo(Spanish), which means "advisor to the king".
Adoncia(Spanish), which means "sweet".
63) Nestor(Spanish origin), which means "wise traveller".
Juanita(Spanish), which means "God is gracious".
60) Martez(Spanish origin), which means "warlike".
Euquerio(Greek), which means "sure-handed".
Verita(Spanish), which means "truth".
Elian(Spanish), which means "the Lord is my God".
Ernesto(Latin origin), which means "determined".
44) Desiderio(Spanish origin), which means "desired".
Itxaro(Spanish), which means "hope".
Estefania(Spanish), which means "crowned with laurels".
Alvaro(Spanish origin), which means "cautious".
56) Julio(Spanish origin), which means "full of youth".
62) Montez(Spanish origin), which means "of the mountains".
54) Ireneo(Greek origin), which means "lover of peace".
Lisandra(Greek), which means "defender of mankind".
Delfina(Spanish), which means "dolphin".
Godalupe(Spanish), which means "of the Mother Mary".
Yasiel(Hebrew origin), which means "whom God made".
Yenifer(Cuban origin), which means "white shadow". This is the Cuban equivalent of the English baby girl name "Jennifer".
Paz(Spanish), which means "peace".
Francisco(Spanish), which means "from the country of France".
Bembe(Spanish), which means "prophet".
41) Castilo(Greek origin), which means "beautiful".
Pirro(Spanish), which means "flaming hair".
Anton(Spanish origin), which means "the priceless one".
Gimoaldo(Spanish), which means "confessor".
Camilo(Spanish), which means "young ceremonial attendant". In Cuba, this name is linked to Camilo Cienfuegos, who is seen as a hero of the revolution in the country.
68) Reinier(German origin), which means "wise army".
74) Yudel(Spanish origin), which means "praise".
Edelira(Cuban origin), which means "noble heritage".
Filiberto(Spanish), which means "brilliant".
Mirana(Spanish), which means "wonderful" or "adorable".
Marquesa(Spanish), which means "works like a hammer".
Quillen(Spanish), which means "woman of the heights".
Cuba(Spanish), which means "from Cuba". Famous people with this name include the American actor Cuba Gooding Jr.
Raul(Spanish), which means "wolf counsel". This name is famous in Cuba for being the name of Raul Castro, an important figure in the revolution and one of the current leaders of the country.
58) Macario(Spanish origin), which means "blessed" or "happy".
52) Geraldo(Spanish origin), which means "excellent spearman".
Osvaldo(Spanish), which means "divine power". This boy's name is well-known for being the name of Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, the former president of Cuba.
Silverio(Spanish), which means "wood" or "forest".
Valeria(Spanish), which means "strength".
Guillerma(Spanish), which means "determined guardian".
Jacqueline(French origin), which means "to supplant".
51) Francisco(Spanish origin), which means "from the country of France".
48) Euxenio(Greek origin), which means "born into royalty".
66) Placido(Spanish origin), which means "serene".
Xiomara(Spanish), which means "renowned warrior".
Maricela(Spanish), which means "of Mars".
Montez(Spanish), which means "of the mountains".
Dalian(Spanish), which means "valley".
Elisa(Spanish), which means "consecrated to God".
Alejandro(Spanish), which means "defender of mankind". This is the Cuban edition of the English baby boy name "Alexander".
70) Tajo(Spanish origin), which means "day".
61) Mendo(Spanish origin), which means "offers sacrifice to God".
67) Reinaldo(Spanish origin), which means "advisor to the king".
Samara(Hebrew origin), which means "under God's rule".
Lur(Spanish), which means "earth".
Zamira(Arabic origin), which means "thought".
Samantha(Spanish), which means "told by God".
Camila(Spanish), which means "young ceremonial attendant". This name is the name of Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello.
Carida(Spanish), which means "charity".
Ireneo(Greek), which means "lover of peace".
Isabel(Spanish), which means "consecrated to God".
45) Elian(Spanish origin), which means "the Lord is my God".
Gisele(German origin), which means "pledge".
Manuela(Spanish), which means "God is with us".
Reinier(German origin), which means "wise army".
Mendo(Spanish), which means "offers sacrifice to God".
Rolando(Spanish), which means "renowned throughout the land".
Yanet(Cuban origin), which means "God is merciful". This is the Cuban equivalent of the English baby girl name "Janet".
Luis(Spanish), which means "well-known warrior".
Cordaro(Spanish), which means "little lamb".
Geraldo(Spanish), which means "excellent spearman".
Novia(Spanish), which means "sweetheart".
Desiderio(Spanish), which means "desired".
40) Bembe(Spanish origin), which means "prophet".
Juan(Spanish), which means "God's gracious gift".
Federico(Spanish), which means "peaceful ruler". This is the Cuban version of the English baby boy name "Frederick".
Lola(Spanish), which means "sorrowful".
Nestor(Spanish), which means "wise traveller".
Ramira(Spanish), which means "judicious".
Benita(Spanish), which means "blessed".
Rodolfo(German origin), which means "famous wolf".
73) Yasiel(Hebrew origin), which means "whom God made".
Hermosa(Spanish), which means "beautiful".
65) Pirro(Spanish origin), which means "flaming hair".
Neoma(Greek), which means "new moon".
46) Emeterio(Greek origin), which means "deserves affection".
Macario(Spanish), which means "blessed" or "happy".
57) Learco(Greek origin), which means "judge of his village".
Clara(Spanish), which means "bright". This is the Cuban version of the English baby girl name "Claire" or "Clare".
Mariposa(Spanish), which means "butterfly".
Dalila(Spanish), derived from the biblical name Delilah.
47) Euquerio(Greek origin), which means "sure-handed".
Euxenio(Greek), which means "born into royalty".
Emeterio(Greek), which means "deserves affection".
Floramaria(Spanish), which means "flower of Mary".
Aleja(Spanish), which means "defender of mankind". This is the Cuban twist on the English baby girl's name "Alexandra".
55) Javiero(Spanish origin), which means "owner of a new house".
Silvana(Spanish), which means "from the forest".
50) Filiberto(Spanish origin), which means "brilliant".
Safia(Arabic origin), which means "sincere friend".
Celia(Spanish), which means "heavenly". This girl's name is remembered as the name of loved Cuban singer Celia Cruz.
Claudia(Spanish), which means "enclosure".
64) Paz(Spanish origin), which means "peace".
Dunia(Arabic origin), which means "world" or "life".